Remembering PAN during difficult times, Prabowo admits he almost wept

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto revealed that he was so moved that his eyes nearly welled up with tears while reminiscing about his time with the National Mandate Party (PAN), particularly during the difficult periods of his political journey.

During his speech at the 28th anniversary commemoration of PAN in Jakarta on Friday night, Prabowo stated that the atmosphere of the event reminded him of the comrades who remained by his side when facing defeat.

“I am worried that if I do not stay spirited, my tears will fall. During the dark times, I felt my eyes welling up,” said Prabowo.

He noted that his political experiences have made him realise the true meaning of friends who stay present when one is in a difficult situation.

“Why? Because I have only realised that friends during defeat are the hardest to find,” he remarked.

Prabowo expressed that he felt honoured to be among the large PAN family, whom he described as loyal comrades-in-arms. According to him, this friendship is built upon shared values of struggle.

Prabow stated that the values of struggle require courage, perseverance, and loyalty, with the primary loyalty being directed towards the nation, the state, and the people of Indonesia.

“The first loyalty is to our nation, state, and people. That loyalty is easy to utter, but difficult to execute,” he said.

Prabowo also stated that he and PAN share the same aspirations to realise an Indonesia that is just, prosperous, and where the people are well-off.

On the same occasion, the Chairman of PAN, Zulkifli Hasan, emphasised that his party will continue to stand with Prabowo because they share the same goals of struggle.

Zulkifli noted that the togetherness of PAN and Prabowo has endured through a long political journey and is not limited to a single presidential election. Data shows that PAN has supported Prabowo in three presidential elections: 2014, 2019, and 2024.